Ball nock arrow release system

ABSTRACT

An arrow nock and release system for holding and then releasing an arrow from a bow wherein a ball nock is positioned on an end of an arrow shaft, the ball nock having an at least partially spherical outer surface divided with a string groove. An arrow release is engageable with the ball nock and includes a jaw with an engagement surface corresponding with the outer surface of the ball nock, the jaw releaseably engageable with the ball nock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a ball nock and arrow release system.

2. Description of Prior Art

A variety of known arrow release systems use an arrow release inconnection with a bow to grasp a bowstring and assist the archer indrawing the bowstring of the bow into a firing position. For example,Scott, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,536 teaches a bowstring release device thatengages the bowstring on either side of a nocked arrow and then releasesthe bowstring with a trigger mechanism.

Another variety of arrow release uses a bowstring nock mounted directlyon a bowstring. The bowstring nock is engaged with an arrow release andthen released with a trigger mechanism. Such systems are taught bySummers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,286 and Summers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,286.

There is a need, however, for an arrow nock and arrow release systemusing a mechanism that permits a freely moveable, gimbaled engagementbetween the arrow release and the arrow thus ensuring a straight andpredictable launch of the arrow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of this invention to provide an arrow nock and releasethat does not affect the flight of the arrow as the arrow dischargesfrom the bow.

It is another object of this invention to provide an arrow nock thatpermits a gimbal action with a corresponding arrow release.

The above and other objects are accomplished with different preferredembodiments of an arrow nock and arrow release system according to thisinvention.

Arrows traditionally include a nock for engaging with a bow string.Traditional arrow nocks are generally cylindrical in shape, followingthe general shape of the arrow shaft. Such arrow nocks include a splitcenter portion with a gap that is engageable with a bow string.

Arrow releases may be used in connection with launching arrows. Atraditional arrow release includes a gripping or engagement mechanismthat holds the bowstring or a bowstring nock prior to release from thebow. A well-launched arrow results from an archer that does not impartany torque or angular momentum to the arrow prior to launch therebyinsuring that a rearward portion of the arrow follows a front portion ina predominantly straight path.

An arrow nock and release system according to this invention ispreferably used to maintain an alignment of an arrow shaft in a fixedposition prior to and during launch of the arrow. As described, thepresent invention includes a ball nock positioned on one end of thearrow shaft, the ball nock having an at least partially spherical outersurface divided with a string groove. The string groove engages abowstring which is nested within the string groove to permit engagementof an arrow release as described herein.

The arrow release is preferably engageable with the ball nock,specifically with one or more jaws having an engagement surfacecorresponding with the outer surface of ball nock. The jaw or jawspreferably include an at least partially hemispherical and/orsemispherical inner surface corresponding to, and engageable with, theouter surface of the ball nock. As a result of this engagement betweenthe arrow release and the ball nock, a gimbal or ball and socketarrangement is created that permits three axes of rotation of the arrowrelease relative to the ball nock. This permits that archer to draw thearrow while minimizing risk of misalignment of the arrow relative to adesired plane of flight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this inventionwill be better understood from the following detailed description whentaken in view of the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a ball nock engaging with a bowstring accordingto one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the ball nock shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a ball nock prior to engagement witha bowstring according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an arrow release prior to engagementwith the ball nock shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the ball nock shown in FIG. 3 and thearrow release shown in FIG. 4 prior to engagement between the ball nockand the arrow release;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the arrow release engaging the ballnock according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the ball nock and arrow releasesystem shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-7 show an arrow nock and release system according to variouspreferred embodiments of this invention. As described, the arrow nockand release system is preferably used to maintain an alignment of arrowshaft 30 in a fixed position prior to and during launch of the arrow.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, ball nock 10 is shown in a side view and topview respectively. A traditional arrow typically includes an arrowshaft, a tip and a nock. Arrow shaft 30 includes a tip (not shown)formed on a distal end of the arrow shaft 30 and ball nock 10 formed ona proximal end of the arrow shaft 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, ball nock 10 includes an at least partiallyspherical outer surface divided with string groove 15. The outer surfaceof ball nock 10 is preferably generally spherical and is further joinedwith arrow shaft 30 at sleeve 35. Sleeve 35 may then be glued,press-fit, threadedly engaged or otherwise attached with respect toarrow shaft 30. As such, ball nock 10 is preferably attached withrespect to arrow shaft 30 in a manner known to those having ordinaryskill in the art.

Ball nock 10 is divided and preferably bisected with string groove 15.According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, string groove15 engages bowstring 40. Bowstring 40 is preferably nested within stringgroove 15 and thus ball nock 10 to permit engagement of arrow release 50as described herein.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, and as best shownin FIGS. 3-7, arrow release 50 is used in connection with ball nock 10resulting in a desired system for holding and then releasing an arrowfrom a bow.

As described, arrow release 50 is preferably engageable with ball nock10. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, arrowrelease 50 includes jaw 60 with an engagement surface corresponding withthe outer surface of ball nock 10. As used herein, jaw 60 may include asingle jaw 60, a pair of jaws 60 or similar arrangement that permitsengagement between ball nock 10 and arrow release 50. Specifically, jaw60 may include a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw, two moveable jaws or anyother arrangement that allows jaw 60 to grasp and retain ball nock 10 ina manner that permits drawing and releasing an arrow.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS.4-7, arrow release 50 comprises a pair of jaws 60, each jaw 60 moveablewith respect to the other. Jaws 60 are accordingly engageable with ballnock 10. Specifically, according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention, each jaw 60 includes an at least partially hemisphericaland/or semispherical inner surface 65 corresponding to, and engageablewith, outer surface 20 of ball nock 10. As a result of this engagementbetween arrow release 50 and ball nock 10, a gimbal or ball and socketarrangement is created that permits three axes of rotation of arrowrelease 50 relative to ball nock 10. This permits that archer to drawthe arrow while minimizing risk of misalignment of the arrow relative toa desired plane of flight.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, and asdemonstrated schematically in FIG. 4, the pair of jaws 60 in arrowrelease 50 are preferably biased away from each other. In addition, whenball nock 10 is inserted into jaws 60 of arrow release 50, as shown inFIG. 5, jaws 60 reactively engage and close around ball nock 10.According to one preferred-embodiment of this invention, latch 70secures jaws 60 relative to ball nock 10 once ball nock 10 is properlypositioned within jaw 60 or jaws 60.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, arrow release50 may further include grip portion 75. Grip portion 75 may include ahandle, strap or similar grip known to those having ordinary skill inthe art. As a result of this arrangement, grip portion 75 enables thearcher to maintain a steady hold of arrow release 50 particularly whenfighting against the forces created in drawing back bowstring 40.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, grip portion 75is rotatable relative to jaw 60. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 4-7,arrow release 50 may include joint 80 that connects grip portion 75 withjaw 60 or jaws 60. Joint 80 preferably enables 360 degrees of rotationof grip portion 75 relative to jaw 60. Joint 80 further enables a freerange of motion of arrow release 50 relative to ball nock 10 to permitdrawing and aiming of arrow without excess misalignment of arrow causedby movement to arrow release 50.

Arrow release 50 may further include trigger 90 connected with respectto grip portion 75 and/or jaw 60 to release engagement of jaw 60 fromball nock 10. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention,trigger 90 is connected with respect to latch 70 and/or jaw 60 forreleasing jaw 60 relative to ball nock 10. As described above, jaw 60 orjaws 60 may be biased away from each other so that upon release, jaws 60separate from ball nock 10 thereby permitting release of arrow.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been describedin relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many detailshave been-set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additionalembodiments and that certain of the details described can be variedconsiderably without departing from the basic principles of theinvention.

1. An arrow nock and release system for holding and then releasing anarrow from a bow, the system comprising: an arrow shaft; a ball nockpositioned on an end of the arrow shaft, the ball nock having an atleast partially spherical outer surface divided with a string groove;and an arrow release engageable with the ball nock, the arrow releasehaving a jaw with an engagement surface corresponding with the outersurface of the ball nock.
 2. The arrow nock and release system of claim1 wherein the arrow release comprises a pair of jaws, each jaw of thepair of jaws including an at least partially hemispherical inner surfaceengageable with the ball nock.
 3. The arrow nock and release system ofclaim 2 wherein the pair of jaws are biased away from each other.
 4. Thearrow nock and release system of claim 1 wherein the arrow releasefurther comprises: a grip portion; and a joint connecting the gripportion with the jaw.
 5. The arrow nock and release system of claim 4wherein the grip portion is rotatable relative to the jaw.
 6. The arrownock and release system of claim 1 further comprising: a triggerconnected with respect to the arrow release to release engagement of thejaw from the ball nock.
 7. The arrow nock and release system of claim 1wherein the arrow release further comprises a latch for engaging the jawaround the ball nock.
 8. The arrow nock and release system of claim 7wherein the arrow release further comprises a trigger connected withrespect to the jaw for releasing the latch.
 9. An arrow nock and releasesystem comprising: a ball nock formed on an end of an arrow shaft, theball nock having a generally spherical outer surface bisected with astring groove; and an arrow release engageable with the ball nock. 10.The arrow nock and release system of claim 9 wherein the arrow releasefurther comprises: a pair of jaws engageable with the ball nock; a gripportion; a joint connecting the grip portion with the pair of jaws, sothat the grip portion is rotatable relative to the jaw; and a triggerconnected with respect to the pair of jaws to release engagement of thejaw from the ball nock.
 11. The arrow nock and release system of claim10 wherein the arrow release further comprises a latch for engaging thejaw around the ball nock.
 12. The arrow nock and release system of claim11 wherein the trigger is connected with respect to the latch.
 13. Thearrow nock and release system of claim 9 wherein the arrow releaseincludes a pair of jaws, the pair of jaws each including a generallysemispherical inner portion engageable with the ball nock.
 14. The arrownock and release system of claim 13 wherein the pair of jaws are biasedaway from each other.
 15. An arrow comprising: an arrow shaft; a tipformed on a distal end of the arrow shaft; and a ball nock formed on aproximal end of the arrow shaft, the ball nock having a generallyspherical outer surface bisected with a string groove.